shout out to Muncie, Indiana

Ok, this was a long time coming. I find this amusing. Papa John's was founded by a guy that went to Ball State University, and now you can find them all over the place--yep, even in Bahrain. Like I said, this was a long time coming.

Mall decor...

You can't escape the mall decorations in December. This was one of many decorations at the Seef Mall. Granted, they don't have cheesy Christmas music playing at the mall, but if you turn on the radio to either Radio Bahrain or the Navy station, you'll get pleanty of good and bad Christmas music...

Just a few announcements.

Moved into a new flat (see previous post).

Congrats Sarah for graduating from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana! (Congrats to Mike as well for the same thing!)

Happy Birthday Byron (a couple days late, but I did wish you a happy birthday ON your birthday)


I can't escape bad holiday music on the radio no matter where in the world I happen to be.

My flat is almost finished- the mudroom needs two things that are suposed to happen today and then I won't have to worry about people at my flat every other day--that will be nice.

The road to get to my flat is dirt/sand, but they are filling it in so it is no longer the Bahrain river or Lake 224, but there is still a parking lot in Juffair that is better known as the Navy sea...

My new flat.

Here it is. The new flat. Yep, this is all one room. More pictures and better pictures to come, but for now, this is it. I have a mudroom and a tiny kitchen and a glorified closet for a bathroom. I love it.

National Day!

Happy National Day from Bahrain! Yep this is just one pic I couldn't resist taking (also one of the few that turned out alright). The entire downtown Manama area is lit up very similarly to this image for National Day (or Independance Day) which is 16 December (today).

It's been raining all day so I don't think the fireworks are going to happen, but National Day is celebrated in a way that is similar but different to Independance Day in the States--fireworks, everyone gathering together talking about how great the country is, etc.

abaya sighting--thank you Byron.

Alright, I'm my own worst critic. I don't consider myself to be photogenic.

At the school carnival I was wearing one of my abayas and Byron caught me laughing (or talking) on my way out and got a picture of me.

For those who haven't seen me in an abaya--here you go. These things are insanely comfortable and are suposed to be modest dress. Granted I'm covered and you really can't see much of my figure, but the abaya itself is very ornate with beadwork and the like. So, not only is this modest dress, it's really a part of Bahraini fashion. Many young women here wear abayas that are rather ornate or have some sort of embelishment to break up all the black.

simple reminders...

I went ice skating today. There's a place that's got indoor ice skating rink (duh) on the island and I went with another teacher and the girl's football (soccer) team. This was the end of the season gathering. Well, we skated on ice that was poorly kept, bumpy, and chipped. So, we all did our best and I didn't fall on my face or my bum (very greatful for that). Then a man got everyone off the ice so the zamboni could 'clean' the ice. I was thinking that it would be like in the states... ummm.... no. not even close. no. Their idea of a zamboni was a tractor pulling a glorified and oversized ice shaver. My jaw hit the floor. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. It was great.

Something a little funny...at least to me.

Starbucks...yep, even in Manama, Bahrain.

crazy day...

I drove a car for the first time in 3 1/2 months! I was running one of the teachers home while another teacher (her flat mate) was at a copy shop waiting on things getting printed. I was along for the ride.

I drove 5 blocks from point A to point B in city traffic/weekend/Saudi traffic AND I survived dealing with a roundabout and DIDN'T kill myself!

please see previous post

These are the pics of my classroom looking like a real classroom--plastered wall to wall with my kids' work. It doesn't cut down on the echoing like I had hoped but it does help with my kids being proud of what they are doing in my class. :)

Because I have nothing better to do...

I've been told I need to post more often. I'm terrible about keeping this thing updated.

I'm getting a better hang of the teacher thing. I had my students doing a poster project over the weekend and oh my goodness did they come through with great posters! My classroom is practically wall to wall with posters (let's hope the room doesn't echo as much anymore) and it looks like a real classroom!

Maps are the biggest thing that I am lacking in my classroom. I am going to have to order or find maps while I'm in the states. I want historical maps as well but I'm not going to hold my breath.